Real publication dates in Scopus journals Q1–4

19.05.2025

Many of you often ask: How long does it take to publish in Scopus journals?
The myth is especially widespread: that the article in the Q1 journal will be published quickly. Some companies engaged in publishing scientific articles offer fast and inexpensive publication in Scopus Q1 – but not everything is so simple. In this article, we will tell you about such journals so that you do not lose money, time and nerves in the future.

In reality, everything is much more complicated: Each quartile has its own characteristics, deadlines, requirements and pitfalls.

Today we will tell you about the real publication dates in Scopus journals - from Q1 to Q4. Without myths and illusions.

Q1–Q2 journals

Q1—Q2 journals — This is the highest level of journals in Scopus.
Publication in such editions - This is prestige, but also serious challenges. Below are the four main categories of Q1 journals and realistic publication deadlines:

Elite journals (Springer, Wiley, Elsevier, Taylor & Francis, SAGE):

These are leading scientific publications world class;
Average publication time: 200-300 days;
Requirements: maximum novelty, deep methodology, high scientific level;
Publication fee (APC): from $3000.

Double or even triple blind review, multiple rounds of revisions, is often used.
Not suitable for 95% authors - Only for the scientific elite with cutting-edge research.

Q1 mid-level commercial magazines (MDPI, Frontiers, Emerald, De Gruyter):

You can get the publication faster - within 3-10 months;
The requirements are high, but more flexible than those of elite publishers.
Ideal for 20% authors who:

Have a quality article;
Willing to pay high APC;
They want to reduce the waiting period.

Publication fee: from $2000.

University Journals Q1 (free):

These are usually old academic publications. with a history of more than 20-30 years;
Advantage: complete absence of publication fees;
Flaws:

Very long terms - from 12 to 24 months;
Subjective selection system - often published “by connections”;
The editorial staff is under a lot of pressure due to the number of applications.

Approximately 50% authors fit — mainly for those who are willing to wait years to save money.

"Sharagi"

"Sharagi" - Fully commercial journals with a low entry threshold but a high quartile. Often created solely for profit or bought by private companies. Thanks to artificial citations and a small number of articles, they quickly achieve a high quartile.

Advantages:

Low requirements - may accept articles without verification.
Very quick publication - sometimes in less than 10 days.

Flaws:

High risk that the article will not be indexed.
Loss of reputation is possible in the scientific community.
Even if the article is indexed - the risk of de-indexation is very high.

Publication fee: 1000–2000$.
Conclusion: very risky option. Suitable only for those who "play at their own risk".

How not to waste time and money?

If you want to publish an article in a reliable Scopus journal without risking indexing and money, trust it to professionals.

The Academy of Articles offers:

Publication of scientific articles on a turnkey basis — from writing to publication in a journal with the required quartile (Q1–Q4) and 100% guarantee of publication 👇

Co-authorship of articles — select a topic from more than 13 scientific directions in our Co-authorship catalog 👇

Q3–Q4 journals

Q3–Q4 journals in Scopus: faster, cheaper, but with nuances.
As with Q1–Q2, lower quartile journals can be roughly divided into three categories. Each has its own advantages, risks, and target audience.

Mid-level commercial magazines

They work on a paid basis.
Average publication time: 4–8 months.
Requirements: moderate; suitable for most authors with a scientific background.
Target audience: 30–40% authors who can write an average-quality article and are willing to pay a moderate publication fee.
Publication fee: 600–1200$.
Balance: A reliable option for those who want to publish without strict requirements.

Free University Magazines

Published by universities, do not charge APC
Advantages: free publication, accepts mid-level articles
Flaws:
1. Reviewers are often unmotivated, work slowly.
2. Waiting for a review - 4–8 months and more.
3. Sometimes - biased assessment or no feedback at all.
4. There are cases, when the article simply gets "lost".
Target Audience: up to 70% authors - those who are willing to wait to save

Conclusion: If you are not in a hurry and want to publish for free, this option is worth considering, but requires patience.

"Sharagi"

"Sharagi" — completely commercial magazines with a low entry threshold. Often created solely for profit or bought by private companies.
Advantages:

Low requirements - may accept articles without verification.
Very quick publication - sometimes in less than 10 days.

Flaws:

High risk that that the article will not be indexed.
Loss of reputation is possible in the scientific community.
Even if the article is indexed - there is a real risk of de-indexing.

Publication fee: 400–800$
Conclusion: risky option. Suitable only for those who "play at their own risk".

Conclusions

What do you need to know about Scopus journal publication deadlines (Q1–Q4)?

1. The higher the quartile, the longer, more expensive and more complicated it is.
Publication in Q1–Q2 can take from 6 to 24 months. This is a complex process with high demands on the scientific level, methodology, and novelty of the research.

2. Q3–Q4 is a more affordable option, but also has its own nuances.
Submitting an article is easier, publication fees are lower, but there are risks of slow review, loss of an article, or subjective selection.

3. Free magazines = long wait.
Such magazines are not a "freebie", but a long game. Free means low motivation of editors and overload of applications.

4. "Sharagi" - fast, cheap, but dangerous.
This is almost always a risk. Indexing may not happen, or the journal may be de-indexed - and you will lose money, time and reputation.

5. There is no perfect universal solution.
It all depends on your goal: fast, high-quality, prestigious, cheap - you always need to choose one thing or find a balance.